Richard Lee Huckstep, 93, passed away Monday, October 5, 2026, at Legato Living at Union Street in Westfield, Indiana. He was born in Lebanon, Indiana on June 22, 1933, to Lynn Huckstep and Evelyn (Quillin) Huckstep, and attended Lebanon schools.
Richard enlisted in the United States Air Force on February 20, 1952. After basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas, he began what became a lifelong career specializing in electronic systems. In May 1952, he transferred to the Technical Training Center at Lowry Air Force Base, Denver, Colorado to begin training in the new and innovative radar-based fire control systems that became integral to the success of the Air Force’s first all-weather fighter interceptor, the F-86D. At the conclusion of his training at Lowry, Richard was assigned to the 71st Fighter Interceptor Squadron located at Greater Pittsburgh Airport in March 1953. There he served there as a Fire Control Systems Specialist until he was discharged with the rank of Airman First Class on February 19, 1956, returning to his hometown of Lebanon.
Richard married Sue Carolyn Wells at Centenary United Methodist Church in Lebanon on March 6, 1954. The couple lived the first two years of marriage in Coraopolis, Pennsylvania as Richard continued his military service, and welcomed their first son Tom in July 1955.
For a time, Richard worked with his uncle Russell Huckstep as an electrician, installing electrical systems in homes throughout Boone County. Then, on November 19, 1956, Richard began a lengthy career in telecommunications with Indiana Bell Telephone Company (later Ameritech), based in the Lebanon office. He started as an Installer/Repairman. Soon after he began this job, Richard and Sue had their second son Don in March 1957, at the height of a huge snowstorm.
Richard excelled in the role of Installer/Repairman, and was promoted to a Switchman in 1960, an inside position charged with servicing the switching equipment that made the local telephone exchange function smoothly. Continuing in that job until October 1, 1966, Richard was again promoted, this time to the management role of Service Supervisor of the Fowler District, where he supervised as many as eight offices in northwest Indiana. This required a move of the family to Fowler, Indiana, and was an assignment in which he served for 12 years. Richard made an internal change in 1978 when he transferred to Indianapolis as a Maintenance Engineer for DC power plants. He retired from Ameritech on February 19, 1992.
In retirement, Richard worked at Arcadia Cushman, helping restore and customize Cushman motor scooters. The owner of the company described Richard as the “creative genius” and said there is absolutely nothing he can’t build or problem he can’t solve.
Richard had several hobbies over his lifetime, from racing “tether cars” on a track he built himself in the early 1950s, to hunting, fishing, auto repairs, and hand-crafting muzzle-loading rifles of high quality and accuracy. He was also a gifted woodworker and furniture maker, and a highly skilled machinist, maintaining his own machine shop until 2004.
Richard was a Life Member of the National Rifle Association and long-time member of the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association. He was a 32° Mason, Past Master of the Boone Lodge of the Free and Accepted Masons and a member of the Scottish Rite.
Richard was a faithful member of CrossRoads Church in Westfield. He was also a devoted husband to Sue, his wife of over seventy years, who preceded him in death on June 17, 2024.
Survivors include sons Tom (Dana) Huckstep of Noblesville, and Don Huckstep (Sue Solomon) of Lafayette; grandsons Matt Huckstep, Colin Huckstep, and Chad Huckstep; and eight great grandchildren.
The family wishes to express sincere gratitude to the loving and compassionate staff at Legato Living Union Street and Enlight Hospice who cared for Richard in the last months of his life.
A celebration of life service will be held Saturday, November 14, 2026, at CrossRoads Church, 19201 Grassy Branch Rd, Westfield, IN 46074, with visitation at 10:00 am, service at 11:00 am, followed by lunch at the church. The service will be privately livestreamed, and those wishing to attend virtually may register to view the service at https://www.youtube.com/live/WHmV8qXU90E?app=desktop&feature=share. Myers Mortuary and Boone County Crematory have been entrusted with his arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations be made to CrossRoads Church at Westfield to support their ministry. Donations may be made online by visiting https://secure.myvanco.com/L-YR0F/campaign/C-16KXW.